Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy. What extra benefit do we expect to see from the action plans as opposed to just having a national framework? The big change is that, for the first time, the higher education institutions cannot just produce a plan. They also have to report against the delivery of the plan to the Higher Education Authority, just as they would report against budgetary matters and the like. That is important. It is us as a State saying we believe this is such an important issue that we want institutions to report their progress annually to the HEA. The action plans must be published and available for all staff and students. Institutions cannot hide behind or under a national framework but must say what is being done in the individual institution.

The plans will vary somewhat from college to college because they need to take ownership of them, but they have a number of common features. These will include consent classes for students, which is important, and development of an anonymous reporting tool so it is even easier for people to report sexual harassment and violence. That will help create that culture of zero tolerance. Sexual harassment is a real epidemic in society. It is not unique to third level but I want to see third level lead in how we solve this issue and adopt a zero tolerance approach.

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